Mývatn, Goðafoss & Grjótagjá Half Day Tour From Akureyri
by Arctic Adventures · North Iceland
- Fine on your own
from €124.73 per person
Next departure: Fri 14 May
1 / 20
Duration
6 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Akureyri
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Starts at
Oddeyrarbót 1, Akureyri
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
10:00
Minimum age
6
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before
About this experience
Explore the natural and mystical wonders of North Iceland on this half-day tour from Akureyri. Visit iconic sites around Lake Mývatn, from roaring waterfalls and steaming geothermal areas to dramatic lava formations, including Dimmuborgir—home to Icelandic elves and hidden people.
This half-day tour begins at the Special Tours office in Akureyri, where guests meet their guide before departing east toward the Lake Mývatn region and North Iceland’s most remarkable natural sights.
Goðafoss – Waterfall of the Gods
Your first stop is the powerful and picturesque Goðafoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. Enjoy time to walk the viewing paths, take photos, and visit the café, restrooms, and souvenir shop located at the site.
Hverir / Námaskarð Geothermal Area
Next, explore the otherworldly landscape of Hverir, filled with steaming vents, boiling mud pools, and sulfur-stained ground. This active geothermal area offers a vivid look at Iceland’s volcanic energy just beneath the surface.
Grjótagjá Lava Cave
Continue to Grjótagjá, a small lava cave that hides a striking geothermal hot spring with bright blue water. Made famous by the hugely popular Game of Thrones series, the cave is a fascinating and photogenic stop surrounded by dramatic lava formations.
Dimmuborgir Lava Fields
Visit the legendary lava formations of Dimmuborgir, often called the “Dark Castles.” Wander among towering pillars, arches, and caves while learning about the folklore of the area. According to Icelandic legend, Dimmuborgir is home to elves and hidden people (“huldufólk”), including a mythical “king of the elves” said to dwell in the tallest lava towers. Locals believe these mystical beings protect the land, making Dimmuborgir both a geological wonder and a magical, sacred place.
Skútustaðir Pseudocraters
The final sightseeing stop is at Skútustaðir, home to a unique cluster of pseudocraters formed by volcanic activity interacting with water. Enjoy peaceful views across Lake Mývatn and the surrounding volcanic landscape.
The tour concludes with a scenic drive back to Akureyri and return to the Special Tours office, offering a comprehensive half-day introduction to the natural and mystical wonders of North Iceland.
Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Akureyri
- Goðafoss Waterfall
- hverir / Námaskarð Geothermal Area
- Grjótagjá Geothermal Cave
- Dimmuborgir Lava Fields
- Mývatn Lake & Skútustaðagígar Pseudocraters
- Akureyri
Included
- Minibus Transportation
- English Speaking Tour Guide
- Tour of Mývatn area & Goðafoss
- Certified Guide
- Free WiFi on Board Your Bus
Good to know
- Warm layers
- Weatherproof top layer
- Headwear
- Gloves
- Scarves
- Hiking or sturdy shoes
Cancellation for this tour
Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.
If the weather cancels this tour
Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is a forecast the operator judges unsafe. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.
- 1Arctic Adventures decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
- 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
- 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.
What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.
Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Children under 6 cannot join this one.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
Arctic Adventures is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →
What travellers say about Arctic Adventures
Read all 5,195 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
What a wonderful adventure! The 3 Day South Coast/Golden Circle tour included all of the sites we wanted to see and it did not disappoint. We were picked up at a bus stop in downtown Reykjavik and our journey began with about 16 other guests, a good group size. Our tour guide "Good" John did an excellent job teaching us about the history of Iceland and the sites we saw. The tour is well organized with just enough time at each site. He also made adjustments to the itinerary based on the weather as well as including sites not on the tour to give us more to see, which we loved! There were plenty of bathroom/food breaks as needed and we loved that we could just sit back, relax, and enjoy the views outside the window rather than worrying about driving and parking. Our multi-day tour included a 2 night stay at Adventure Hotel Geirland, which Arctic Adventures owns. Such a quiet hotel, convenient location with beautiful views. Our only complaints were that the shower leaked and made the floor wet, and that dinner at the restaurant was expensive with limited options. However the food was good and breakfast was included. The Katla Ice Cave was our favorite part, which was partnered with Southcoast Adventure, and our guide Inga was very friendly and knowledgeable. We did pay for a hiking boot rental for my husband but never received the boots. We did not ask our tour guide so we are not sure what happened with that. Overall we absolutely loved this tour and would highly recommend Arctic Adventures to anyone visiting Iceland for the first time!
Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026
Read before you book
- Game of Thrones locations in Iceland: which tour?You don't need a themed tour. Most Iceland filming sites are ordinary stops on the Golden Circle, Mývatn and South Coast days. Book a themed day only for the story.
- Goðafoss: the waterfall of the godsThirty minutes from Akureyri, two banks and two car parks, and a name from the year Iceland changed religion. Which side to walk and which tours stop.
- Hverir at Námaskarð: the steam ventsThe orange mud pools east of Mývatn that smell of sulphur and look like another planet. What to know before you walk on it, and which tours stop.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.
Hotels
Where to stay for this tour
From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Akureyri, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.
from 13.800 kr.Lowest price
Guesthouse · Akureyri
Torg Guest House
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
- Cottagefrom 27.108 kr.
Mid-range
Cottage · Akureyri
LL Properties | Charming Panorama Family Cabin
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
from 31.642 kr.Top end
Apartment · Akureyri
Acco Luxury Apartments
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
203 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it
Pairs well with
Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €9 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.
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